Navigating Complexity: Data Structure Impact on Path Planning Algorithms in Autonomous Systems

Navigating a busy cityscape with a fleet of autonomous vehicles requires each to seamlessly maneuver through traffic with split-second decisions. Path planning is the backbone of such advanced machinery applications, from mobile robots to unmanned ground vehicles, where the choice of data structure plays a pivotal role in determining memory usage, planning time, and algorithm reliability. This research rigorously evaluates Grassfire, Dijkstra, A *, and RRT^* algorithms based on key metrics using real GPS readings, across diverse environment representations and obstacle conditions. Our findings provide guidance for selecting the optimal algorithms and data structures tailored to specific environmental complexities. By evaluating the performance of these algorithms under various environmental conditions, the study offers insights that can help researchers and practitioners choose the most suitable algorithms and data structures for their autonomous vehicle applications. The ability to match the algorithm and data structure to the specific environmental challenges faced by autonomous vehicles is crucial for ensuring efficient and reliable path planning, which is the backbone of advanced machinery applications.